1715 FLEET SOCIETY: ODDLY SHAPED MEXICAN COBS

Our Treasure of the Month for October are two silver reales from the 1715 Fleet that illustrate bizarre shapes found among coins produced in the Spanish Colonial mint located in Mexico City. Collectors of these coins are familiar with these unusual shapes. The question is: how did they get this way? Was this deliberate? Was it a planned attempt to create a special figure? Actually, it was not either. It was not deliberate or overt. Rather, it was accidental. But how could this be? What is the explanation?

The answer lies in the minting process. One theory has it that a specified amount of molten silver would be poured into a wide, flat trough, which would produce silver straps of irregular contours, resulting in bizarre shapes. Some parts of the straps were thinner and narrower than others, causing thin, elongated pieces or crazy curves resulting in "S–shaped " or "L-shaped" coins. Square coins and coins with holes, spurs (sharp points), and even accidental animal shapes have been recovered from Fleet wreck sites. In short, the shapes could be just about anything, as demonstrated by our featured coins. For a comprehensive analysis of the Mexico City mint and its production methods, see the article Straps for Cash written by Daniel Frank Sedwick, reproduced in its entirety below.

The first half of our Treasure of the Month is a Mexico City cob 4 reales, Philip V, assayer not visible (J), style of 1705-12. Strange, curved shape resembling a cardinal (below). It is a 1715 Fleet piece, ex-Ullian. Weighing in at 12.91 grams, it shows a good full cross, with most of the shield within the confines of a narrow, odd-shaped flan. It is lightly toned, a VF+, with a desirable shipwreck pedigree. It is also pedigreed to Lou Ullian's famous "40-lb clump".

Mexico City cob 4 reales in the shape of a cardinal

The second half of our Treasure of the Month is a Mexico City cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer not visible, very odd shape (looks like a pirate's hat), A 1715 Fleet piece, ex-Bamberg, weighs 23.11 grams. Choice cross, most of the shield, flat peripheries, VF with surface corrosion on obverse only. Nicely toned, a desirable shipwreck origin, and original (and accidental) unique natural shape. Pedigreed to Sedwick Auction 9 (Lot 818).

Mexico City cob 8 reales shaped like a pirate's hat

Our featured treasure (the 8 reales and 4 reales) is actually part of a large collection of silver cobs that are pedigreed to various other shipwreck and non-shipwreck sources. This collection was assembled over many years as an example of the bizarre and unusual results of Spanish colonial mintage and artistry. Referred to as "The Special Collection of Odd Shaped Mexican Cobs," this group, including our two showcased pieces, will appear in Sedwick Auction # 40, November 5-7, 2026. The group is massive, containing 67 pieces and offers a unique opportunity to acquire a rare and unusual piece of numismatic history. Because we consider this collection to be of great educational importance, we will be highlighting various pieces from the collection in our newsletter throughout the month of October.

To read the complete article, see:
October 2026 — Treasure of the Month (https://1715fleetsociety.com/october-2026-treasure-of-the-month/)

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